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Votrient Information

Votrient (Pazopanib) is primarily used in the management of two distinct types of advanced cancers, acting as a targeted therapy rather than a traditional cell-killing chemotherapy agent. It is used for the treatment of adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma (an advanced kidney cancer). It is also used in patients with specific subtypes of advanced soft tissue sarcomas who have previously undergone chemotherapy. Pazopanib is a small-molecule multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Specifically, it belongs to the anti-angiogenic class of antineoplastic agents.

Renal cell carcinoma and soft tissue sarcomas are aggressive diseases that often rely on the formation of new blood supply to thrive and spread to other organs. In renal cell carcinoma, a common genetic mutation (VHL gene) often leads to an overproduction of proteins necessary for the formation of blood vessels, causing the kidney tumor to become highly vascularized. Soft tissue sarcomas, which arise from mesenchymal cells in muscles, fat, or blood vessels, also use these growth factor pathways to expand into surrounding tissues. Votrient inhibits tumor angiogenesis. Blocking the formation of new blood vessels can lead to tumor shrinkage or, more commonly, a significant delay in disease progression (increased progression-free survival), providing a crucial systemic option when surgical intervention is no longer viable.

It is worth noting that the efficacy of pazopanib has not been established for adipocytic soft-tissue sarcomas (such as liposarcoma) or gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Votrient Side Effects

Like other medications, pazopanib is associated with some side effects. Some common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, a change in hair color, high blood pressure, and loss of appetite. Other side effects may include feeling tired, headache, weight loss, changes in taste, tumor pain, muscle or bone pain, stomach pain, and changes in skin color. Contact your doctor if these mild side effects persist or worsen.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, body itching, body rash, skin blistering, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat;
• Bleeding problems such as unusual bleeding, bruising, or wounds that do not heal;
• Gastrointestinal problems with symptoms like pain, swelling in your stomach area, vomiting blood, and black sticky stools;
• Heart problems such as irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain;
• High blood pressure;
• Lung problems such as persistent cough and difficulty breathing;
• Nervous system problems such as seizures, lack of energy, confusion, high blood pressure, loss of speech, blindness, or changes in vision;
• Signs of infection such as fever, cold symptoms, such as runny nose or sore throat that do not go away, flu symptoms, such as cough, tiredness, and body aches, pain when urinating;
• Stroke, with symptoms such as weakness in one side of the body, slurred speech;
• Tumor lysis syndrome with symptoms like irregular heartbeat, seizures, confusion, muscle cramps or spasms, or a decrease in urine output

Inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Votrient Precautions

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pazopanib, other ingredients in Votrient, or any other medications. Before you start taking this medication, ensure that you inform your doctor about any prior or current medical conditions, including the following:
• Active infection;
• Bleeding problems;
• Blood clot disorders;
• Gastrointestinal problems;
• Heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure;
• High blood pressure;
• Liver disease;
• Lung problems;
• Stroke;
• Thyroid problems

Pazopanib can slow down how your body heals after an injury or surgery. It's important to tell your surgical team you're on this medication, as your doctor might have you stop the medication temporarily until you've recovered enough. Votrient is considered highly toxic to the developing fetus. Animal studies show it causes major malformations and pregnancy loss at doses lower than human therapeutic levels. Therefore, do not use this medication during pregnancy. Women of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose. Men with female partners of reproductive potential should use condoms during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose. It is currently unknown if the drug passes into human milk. However, because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a nursing infant, the official recommendation is not to breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the final dose. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Older adults should use this medication with caution as they may be more prone to its side effects.

Your doctor may request blood tests to monitor your liver function and other parameters before starting, every 4 weeks for the first 4 months, and periodically thereafter, as this medication can cause liver impairment. Combining Votrient with simvastatin increases the risk of liver enzyme elevations; this combination requires extreme caution. Blood pressure monitoring is recommended shortly after starting therapy. Therefore, before taking this medication, inform your doctor about any other medications you are currently taking, including herbal medicines, to determine if it is safe to use along with Votrient. Grapefruit juice inhibits the gut wall enzymes that break down this medication, potentially leading to toxic levels. Therefore, avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while using Votrient. Swallow each tablet whole with a full glass of water. Avoid crushing or breaking the tablets, as this increases the risk of side effects. You must take this medication on an empty stomach. Ensure you wait at least one hour before or two hours after eating a meal. Maintain a consistent daily schedule to keep the drug levels steady in your body. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose of this medication for you depending on your condition and response to treatment. Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Votrient?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Votrient.